Dashing Dubuisson pulls five shots clear in Turkey

Reuters, BELEK, Turkey

Victor Dubuisson, the young Frenchman with the Hollywood actor good looks, stole the show by charging into a five-shot lead after an outstanding display in the third round of the Turkish Airlines Open on Saturday.

The bearded 23-year-old took advantage of an electrifying four-birdie start to power his way to a nine-under 63 for a 21-under total of 195 and eclipse world No. 1 Tiger Woods, European Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter and money-list leader Henrik Stenson.

Woods was unable to repeat his 63 from Friday and had to extricate himself from several awkward spots following some errant ball-striking on a perfect day for scoring at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course.

Typically, the 14-time major champion hung in there to grind out a face-saving 68 for 201, one behind second-placed Poulter (68).

Woods flashed a trademark smile and waved his putter in the air after keeping his title hopes alive by rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt at the 18th.

Stenson, playing alongside the American for the third day running, carded a 69 to share third position with Woods, another bearded Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin (62) and Alejandro Canizares of Spain (66).

Jacquelin equaled the European Tour record for the most birdies in a round, reeling off 12 in his course-record 62.

Dubuisson has yet to win on the European Tour and said his round was the best of his fledgling career.

“I shot 10-under last year at St Andrews for the course record, but it was the first round,” Dubuisson said. “In this situation here, this is the best day I’ve had since I turned pro. It’s been all about my short game this week. I’ve really improved that in the last few months, and I had some good up-and-downs on the par-fives today.”

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